Headaches
Headaches occur commonly in people of all ages and backgrounds. The cause of a headache varies from person to person, and the treatment for pain is often determined by assessing the trigger. Although many headaches are not hazardous, there are some that may need medical supervision. Certain types of headaches may indicate other health issues or problems within the body system.
Causes of Headaches
One of the most common types of headaches is tension related. Tension headaches occur at the neck, near the base of the head, or at the top of the scalp. These headaches are typically associated with stiffness or tightness in the muscles. Because most people with tension headaches complain of the same symptoms, these aches are generally easily relieved. Most people who suffer from tension headaches can find relief with over the counter medications.
Migraine headaches are becoming more widespread among headache sufferers. A migraine is more severe than most aches. Many people feel migraine pain as a throbbing on one side of the head, but pain may also be felt across the top of the scalp. In many cases, nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity also occur. Some people see auras before or during their migraines. Migraines have a number of triggers like foods, hormonal imbalances and odors. Pain relief includes over the counter treatments as well as prescription medications.
The triggers for headaches can vary from dehydration to eye strain. Eye strain may be caused from spending too much time looking at a computer screen, television or handheld video games. Understanding the difference between headache types and knowing the causes can be useful for treating the discomfort. A headache is generally the body’s way of giving a warning that there is a problem that needs attention. When a headache prevents an individual from participating in normal activities, it is important to seek medical guidance.
Categories of Headaches
Medical professionals categorize headaches into groups according to the triggers and severity of the pain. The discomfort of each headache varies and can be mild or severe. The most mild type of headaches are myogenic. These are caused by muscles constricting in and around the head. Vascular headaches can bring minor or major discomfort. They are caused by swollen blood vessels. Migraines fall under this category.
More severe headaches include inflammatory and cervogenic aches. Inflammatory headaches are caused by spinal or upper body diseases. Cervogenic pain is caused by trauma to the head. This pain typically diminishes once a head injury heals. One of the most critical types of headaches is a traction ache. This type of pain is prompted by a spinal or bone injury as well as by the stretching of the head from a tumor.